In a letter to the management of the COEX venue, Tracy Reiman, PETA Executive Vice President, expressed alarm at possible harm that may be done to the fish.

“Subjecting goldfish to contaminated water would serve little purpose besides causing them to suffer horribly,” she writes. “After all, the fish cannot tell you specifically what might be wrong with the water.”

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Ms. Reiman adds: “Sophisticated non-animal analytical methods…can more reliably detect and isolate the cause of any potential water problems.”

In response, a member of the COEX water treatment team responded angrily, saying that the goldfish are simply showcasing that the water is safe.

“I don’t think we’re abusing goldfish for this. We’re pouring treated, recycled water into the fish tank after scientific tests that show the water is safe,” said the official. “We’re confident the goldfish won’t die. So we’ll continue with the plan.”